Throughout “Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps Toward Rhetorical Analysis,” Laura Bolin Carroll describes the many aspects of rhetoric and its role in our everyday lives. Rhetoric is a tool used by large companies in advertisements, by friends to plan a get-together, in YouTube videos, and so on for matters of persuasion. In the words of Carroll, “individuals who understand rhetorical analysis and act to make change can have a tremendous influence on their world.” Considering rhetoric can be seen in a large percentage of our surroundings, especially nowadays with the growth of technology, it is important to not only understand the use of rhetoric and be able to break it down to its meaning, to its purpose, and to its inner workings, but it is also critical to be able to take that knowledge and apply it to other cases. Just as described in the Campbell’s Soup Ad example, the small organization “Dads and Daughters,” one that fights against glorification and encouragement of a negative body image amongst young teenage girls, was able to take their knowledge and understanding of a controversial ad and contact the large company with an argument as to why the ad is inappropriate. By taking such action, the few individuals of the organization were able to make a big positive impact by getting the company to pull the ad from the public, thus taking away the danger that such an ad depicting young girls watching their weight may have on its audience. In cases and situations like these, it is important to be able to interpret and analyze rhetoric, and if necessary, as seen in the Campbell’s case and in many previous actions, to take direct action in support of or in act against the rhetoric.

Emily Weiss

02.11.2016